Theo Walcott tells Arsenal that he wants to be the new Thierry Henry

Walcott wants to stay at Arsenal, but only if he is played as a central strikerTimes photographer, Graham Hughes

Theo Walcott, the Arsenal forward, insisted yesterday that he does not intend to follow in the footsteps of Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fàbregas and walk out on the club.

But he hinted that he will seek assurances from Arsène Wenger that he will be given the chance to play as a central striker before signing a new contract.

The 23-year-old has been relegated to the substitutes’ bench this season after failing to agree improved terms at the Emirates Stadium this summer. His existing deal expires at the end of this season, raising the possibility that he could become the latest first-team player to leave the club — and for nothing — in June, if no new contract is signed.